Liquid cooled metallic beer keg



E. E. BRAND LIQUID COOLED METALLIC BEER KEG Aug. 17, 1948.

5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 24, 1945 Aug. 17, 1948. E.-E. BRAND LIQUID COOLED METALLIC BEER KEG 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1945 .6. EBIRIIJ- Aug. 17, 1948. E. E. BRAND 2,447,390

LIQUID CQOLED METALLIC BEER KEG Filed Oct. 24', 1945' 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 17,1948

UNITED STAT ar r OFFICE LIQUID CGQLED METALLIC BEER KEG Earl E. Brand, Berlin, N. J.

Application Qctober 24, 194-5, Serial No. 624,315

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to liquid containers and mor particularly to a liquid cooled metallic keg especially designed for transporting and dispensing beer and similar beverages.

This application is a substitute for applicants prior application, Serial No. 318,185, filed February 9, 1940, now abandoned.

The object of the invention is to provide a beer keg of strong, compact and durable construction in which a cooling medium is caused to circulate vertically around the keg and transversely through the contents thereof so as to keep the beer cool and palatable at all times.

A further object of the invention is to provide a .beer keg including inner and outer receptacles spaced apart to form an intermediate cooling coll. partment and lateral fins or partitions carried by the inner receptacle and engaging the outer receptacle for separating the receptacles and reinforcing the same.

A further object is to provide a liquid cooled beer keg, the outer receptacle of which is provided with inlet and outlet pipes having diverging terminals for directing the cooling fluid on opposite sides of the adjacent partition, there being auxiliary cooling tubes or pipes extending transversely through the inner receptacle and communicating with the intermediate compartment for permitting the flow of cooling fluid through the beer or other contents of said inner receptacle.

A further object is to provide the opposite ends of the transverse cooling tubes with term nal troughs for catching and directing the initial flow of cooling fluid through said tubes, means being provided at one end of the keg for connecting said keg with a suitable dispensing apparatus.

A still further object of the invention is generally to improve this class of devices so as to increase their utility, durability and efficiency well as to reduce th cost of manufacture.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a liquid cooled metallic beer keg constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a similar view with the upper half of the outer barrel or receptacle removed to show the construction of the inner receptacle,

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on thejline 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the inner barrel or receptacle,

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 6-5 of Figure 3, and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the cooling tubes detached showing one end of the tube split preparatory to forming a terminal trough and the other end thereof with the metal bent laterally at the split portion thereof to form a trough.

The improved liquid cooled beer keg forming the subject-matter of the present invention comprises an inner metallic barrel or receptacle 5 and an outer barrel or receptacle 8 spaced apart to form an intermediate compartment 1 adapted to receive a suitable liquid cooling medium for keeping the beer in the inner receptacle cool and palatable at all times.

The outer barrel or receptacle 6 is preferably formed in two sections, the adjacent ends of which are welded or otherwise suitably united, as indicated at 8. Extending laterally from the intermediate portion of the inner receptacle 5 is a short pipe section or bung 9 through which beer is intro- 7 duced within said inner receptacle when filling the keg, said bun-g extending through registered recesses it! formed in the sections of the outer recept-e o e and having its outer end provided with a suitable plug or closure l l. Extending laterally from the inner receptacl 6 and secured thereto in any suitable manner is a circumferential fin or partition I?! which extends transversely across the top [3 and bottom I4 of the inner receptacle and vertically of the sides thereof. Intersecting the fin or partition #2 is a second fin or partition I5 which extends across the top of the inner receptacle and downwardly along the outer sides thereof and terminates flush with the bottom l4, as indicated at it, so as not to interfere with the circulation of cooling fluid around and beneath the inner receptacle. The outer edges of the fins ii and i5 bear against the inner wall of the outer receptacle 6 and thereby not only direct the flow of cooling medium around the inner receptacle,

but by engagement with. the inner wall of the. outer receptacle serve to reinforce and strengthenboth receptacles and prevent denting or batter.

ing of the key when subjected to rough usage.

Extending through a chime l! at the top, of,' the outer barrel or receptacle is an inclined liquid conducting inlet pipe it provided with diverging branch pipes or terminals l9 which span the .ad- J'acent fin or partition l2 and serve to direct the cooling medium downwardly onopposite sides of the fin and beneath the bottom of the inner receptacle and thence upwardly to a discharge pipe 20 extending through said chime at a point diametrically opposite the inlet pipe l8, as best shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The outlet pipe 20 is likewise provided with diverging branch pipes or terminals 21 which span the fin I2 so as to receive the cooling liquid on each side of said fin l2 and discharge the same through the outlet pipe 29 after said cooling fluid has circulated within the intermediate compartment and around the inner receptacle or barrel. Depending from the bottom of the inner receptacle M are lugs or feet 22 which serve to support the weight of the inner receptacle and also space the bottom of the inner receptacle from the bottom of the outer receptacle.

Extending transversely through the inner receptacle are a plurality of cooling tubes 23, the outer ends of which communicate with the intermediate liquid receiving compartment 1 so as to permit the free circulation of cooling medium transversely through the beer or other contents of said inner receptacle. The metal at the opposite ends of the cooling tubes 23 is formed with intersecting transverse and longitudinal incisions 24 and 25 and the metal at said incisions is bent laterally to form terminal troughs 26. The inner edges of the troughs 26 bear against the cuter wall of the inner receptacle 5 so as to lock the tubes against accidental displacement while the outer edges of the trough are curved to conform to and bear against the inner wall of the outer receptacle 6 and thereby assist in spacing the inner and outer receptacles and at the same time tending to reinforce the same. The purpose of the troughs 25 is to intercept and direct the initial flow of cooling medium through the tubes 23 so as to effect instantaneous cooling of the beer within the inner receptacle, it being understood that after the inner compartment 6 has been entirely filled with cooling fluid, said fluid will circulate freely through the tubes 23 as well as around the inner receptacle and thus maintain the beer in said inner receptacle in a cool palatable state at all times.

Disposed at the intersection of the fins or partitions l2 and I5 and communicating with the interior of the inner receptacle or barrel 5 is a short pipe section or tube 21 for connection with a standard beer dispensing apparatus. The tube or pipe section 21 is normally closed by a cap 28 and similar caps 29 form closures for the inlet and discharge pipes l8 and 25, respectively.

In operation, the inner barrel or receptacle 5 is filled with beer through the bung 9, after which the closure His positioned within th bung and the caps fitted over the tube 21 and inlet and discharge pipes l8 and 20. When a keg of beer is delivered at a saloon, restaurant or the like, the cap 28 is removed and the tube 21 connected with the usual beer dispensing apparatus. The caps 29 are then removed and the inlet and discharge pipes l8 and connected with a suitable source of cooling liquid including a circulating pump not shown. As the cooling fluid enters the inlet pipe 18, said fluid will flow downwardly through the branch pipes ill on opposite sides of the partition l2 and within the compartment 1 on one side of the inner receptacle and then transversely across the bottom of said inner receptacle and upwardly within the compartment 1 on the other side of the inner receptacle where it will be discharged through the branch pipes 2l, as will be readily understood. During the initial flow of the cooling liquid, a portion of the liquid will be intercepted by the troughs 26 and directed trans- 4 versely through the cooling tubes 23 and thence out through the branch pipes 2| so that the moment the cooling fluid is introduced within the compartment 1 not only will the exterior of the inner receptacle be thoroughly cooled but also the beer within said receptacle, thereby permitting the serving of cool beer as soon as the keg is tapped. It will, of course, be understood that after the initial flow of cooling fluid has been intercepted by the troughs 26, a further or continued flow of liquid will fill the compartment 1 and said fluid will circulate around the inner receptacle and transversely through the beer until the supply of cooling medium to the keg is cut off. If desired, the caps 29 may be omitted but it is preferred to use the same in order to prevent the entrance of dirt and other foreign matter within the intermediate compartment. In some cases, the caps 29 may be used for confining a cooling medium within the compartment 1 during transportation of the. keg and if it is desired to maintain the contents of the inner receptacle in a heated condition during transportation of the keg, the compartment 1 may be used to accommodate a suitable heating medium, It will be noted that the outer ends of the inlet and discharge pipes l8 and 20 as well as the tube 21 are disposed entirely within the lines of the chime ll of the barrel head so as not to offer any projecting parts when rolling. or otherwise transporting the leg, and inasmuch as the fins l2 and I5 and ends of the troughs 26 bear against the inner wall of the outer receptacle or barrel, a strong construction is produced capable of. sustaining very rough usage without denting or other wise damaging the barrel.

While the keg is especially designed for transporting and dispensing beer, it will, of course, be understood that said keg may be used for transporting any other desired beverage or liquid.

It will, furthermore, be understood that the kegs may be made in difierent sizes and shapes and constructed of any suitable material without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described th invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A liquid cooled container comprising inner and outer receptacles having top, bottom and side walls spaced apart to form an intermediate cooling compartment, cooling tubes extending transversely through the inner receptacle and communicating with said intermediate compartment, a partition carried by the inner receptacle and extending transversely across the top and bottom thereof and vertically along the sides of said inner receptacle and engaging the outer receptacle for directing the flow of liquid in a vertical path around the inner receptacle and across the bottom thereof and liquid inlet and discharge pipes communicating with the intermediate compartment at opposite sides of the container and on opposite sides of said partition.

2. A liquid cooled container comprising inner and outer receptacles spaced apart to form an intermediate cooling compartment, a partition secured to the inner receptacle and extending laterally across the top and bottom thereof and vertically along the sides of said inner receptacle and engaging the outer receptacle for directing the flow of fluid in a vertical path around the inner receptacle, and beneath the bottom thereof, cooling tubes extending transversely through the inner receptacle and provided with terminal liquid directing troughs bearing against the inner receptacle, and fluid inlet and discharge pipes communicating with said intermedate compartment on opposite sides of said container.

3. A liquid cooled container comprising inner and outer receptacles spaced apart to form intermediate liquid cooling compartment, the inner receptacle being provided with a bung and means for attachment to a dispensing apparatus, partitions secured to the inner receptacle and engaging the outer receptacle for directing the flow of fluid downwardly on one side of the inner receptacle and across the bottom thereof and thence upwardly on the other side of the inner receptacle, cooling tubes extending transversely through the inner receptacle and provided with terminal liquid directing troughs bearing against the inner wall of the outer receptacle, and fluid inlet and discharge pipes disposed on opposite sides of the container and having diverging terminals communicating with the intermediate compartment on opposite sides of the adjacent partition.

4. A liquid cooled container comprising inner and outer receptacles spaced apart to form an intermediate cooling compartment, a lateral partition secured to the inner receptacle and extending transversely across the top and bottom thereof and vertically along the sides of said inner receptacle, an auxiliary partition intersecting the first-mentioned partition and terminating at the bottom of the inner receptacle, cooling tubes extending transversely through the inner receptacle, means carried by the inner receptacle and disposed at the intersection of said partitions for connecting the inner receptacle with a dispensing apparatus, and fluid inlet and discharge pipes disposed on opposite sides of the container and having diverging terminals communicating with the intermediate compartment on opposite sides of the first-mentioned partition.

5. A liquid cooled container comprising an inner receptacle having a bung and provided with means for attachment to a dispensing apparatus, a sectional outer receptacle spaced from the inner receptacle to form an intermediate cooling compartment, intersecting partitions secured to the inner receptacle and bearing against the inner wall of the sections comprising the outer receptacle, one of said partitions extending across the bottom of the inner receptacle and the other ter minating flush with said bottom, cooling tubes extending transversely through the inner recep tacle, liquid directing troughs carried by the ends of the cooling tubes and disposed within the cooling compartment, and fluid inlet and discharge pipes disposed on opposite sides of the container and having diverging terminals communicating with the cooling compartment on opposite sides of the adjacent partition.

6. A liquid cooled container comprising inner and outer receptacles having top, bottom and side walls spaced apart to form a continuous intermediate cooling compartment, fluid inlet and discharge pipes disposed on opposite sides of the container and communicating with said compartment, and cooling tubes extending transversely through the inner receptacle and each having one end thereof provided withintersecting transverse and longitudinal slits, the metal at said slits being bent laterally on opposite sides of the tubes to form concavo-convex liquid directing troughs disposed within the intermediate compartment and engaging the inner walls of the outer receptacle.

'7. A liquid cooled container comprising inner and outer receptacles spaced apart to form an intermediate cooling compartment, supporting feet depending from the bottom of the inner receptacle and resting on the bottom of the outer receptacle, intersecting partitions carried by the inner receptacle, certain of said partitions extending across the bottom of the inner receptacle between the supporting feet and other of said partitions terminating flush with the bottom of said inner receptacle, cooling tubes extending transversely through the inner receptacle, and fluid inlet and discharge pipes disposed on opposite sides of the container and having diverging terminals communicating with the intermediate compartment on opposite sides of the adjacent partition.

8. A liquid cooled container comprising an inner metallic receptacle, an outer metallic receptacle spaced from th inner receptacle to form an intermediate cooling compartment, said outer receptacle being formed in sections each provided with a head having an inclined chime, intersecting partitions carred by the inner receptacle and bearng against the inner wall of the outer receptacle, certain of said partitions extending around the entire outer circumference of the inner receptacle and other partitions terminating flush with the bottom of the inner receptacle, converging fluid inlet and discharge pipes disposed on opposite sides of the container and extending through the inclined chimes of the outer receptacle and provided with diverging branch pipes discharging on opposite sides of the adjacent partition, cooling pipes extending transversely through the inner receptacle and liquid directing troughs arranged at the opposite ends of the cooling pipes and having their inner edges bearing against the outer face of the inner receptacle and their outer edges bearing against the inner face of the outer receptacle.

9. A liquid cooled container having inner and outer receptacles having top, bottom and side walls spaced apart to form an intermediate compartment for the circulation of a cooling medium to cool the contents of the inner receptacle, vertical and horizontal partitions fixed between said receptacles for directing the cooling medium about said inner receptacle, said inner receptacle having conduits extending completely therethrough from one side thereof to the other for conducting the said cooling medium through the said inner receptacle to thereby bring the contents of said inner receptacle into heat exchanging relation, and said conduits being completely sealed against direct contact of said medium and said contents.

EARL E. BRAND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 101,923 Rowe Apr. 12, 1870 2,098,210 Schulse Nov. 2, 1937 2,184,380 Deibel Dec. 26, 1939 

